First
of this is the best Queensr˙che album since "Promised Land"
back in 1995, which really isn't telling much as so many disappointed
fans can attest to...

Secondly
- the first part set the standard in so many areas - and still do - one
of them sound wise, so why on earth have Queensr˙che tried to recreate
the old sound, and failing miserably? OK I do like the idea of trying to
recreate the old sound, but I somehow had expected the sound to be
up-to-date.

Third
- I have no problem with them continuing the story from part one, nice
to get the conclusion of the story of Nikki. And the few references to
the first part are all worked nicely into the concept. The continuation
of the story is actually a very successful one, hats off to Geoff Tate
here...

Fourth
- it's pretty hard not to compare this part with the first one, and for
most parts this album falls short in all aspects. Sure there are some
very good songs on this album like the cool and heavy opener "I'm
American", "Hostage", "The Hands" (which
reminds me quite a bit of "Hands on Heart") and the wonderful
duet between Ronnie James Dio and Geoff Tate in "The Chase".

Fifth
- when you try to recreate magic, you do fail in most cases, so do
Queensr˙che here, but looking at the album alone, this is still an OK
album, that has it cool moments. And I do think Queensr˙che fans like
me will be pleasantly pleased with the album, it is after all a huge
step in the right direction for them...